Freedom and Pride

Chapter 2

"Good morning princess!" I heard my granpa's voice even before I opened my eyes, I groaned and pulled my blanket over my face. I spent most of last night thinking about the last conversation I had with my father and it is really taking a toll on my sleep.

"I dont want to get up. I still want to sleep." But it sounded more like a mumble to my grandpa's frail ears. "What? You need to speak up clearly dear. You are 28 not 8." I could hear the teasing in his voice so I removed the blanket on my face, "27! I don't turn 28 until next week." I gave him my best puppy dog face, "I'm still sleepy gramps." He laughed at my face and just motioned for me to get up while walking back outside. "Gran made chocolate chip pancakes and bacon!" He yelled.

Without second thought I got up, washed my face and changed in to some decent clothes before heading down to breakfast. I was busy with my phone so I didn't notice the man seating with my grandparents, "You know you'll trip and hurt yourself if you keep doing that and then I get to say I told you so."

I looked up from that familiar voice and run up to my dad while tackling him with a hug.
"APPAAAAAAA! When did you arrive? Who's with you? You should have told me you were coming! I miss you." He let go of me and kissed my forehead. "I just got here late last night, but you were already asleep so I didn't bother you. Your granma said you're having trouble sleeping?" I stilled not knowing that my grandma knows all my late night shenanigans and thinking. "Are you okay? Do you need to go back to the doctor? Are you still taking your medicine?" I hugged him and buried my face in his chest, "I missed you. And yes I'm okay and I'm still taking my medications so you dont need to worry." He sighed, "Is this about what we talked about over the phone last time?"
"Yes, and I've already decided. I will come back to Korea as you wish. I just need to say goodbye to some of my friends here." I can feel my tears building up so I let go of my dad and went to the fridge to get some water.

"Sit down princess. Eat first before you go out. You too Joo! When you are here in the US its always about business you seem to forget about us." Granma said with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Im sorry mom. You know how work is and without anyone to rely on back in Korea all of it falls to me. I can barely make time to visit Cassie here and its been really eating me up inside." He said while looking down at his plate.

"That is why we told you it's time for you to take her back. You have endured everything on your own for a long time, you and your daughter need to have each others back right now. You need to stop thinking about us, mom and I can manage on our own." When grandpa said this, I cannot control my tears anymore, so I just let it fall knowing that this is the moment I have been dreading for so long.